'A credit to Ballincollig': Tidy Towns group honoured with civic reception

“THE pride we have in Ballicollig is second to none, and we’ll keep it going,” a delighted Tom Butler told The Echo.

Mr Butler is chair of Ballincollig Tidy Towns (BTT), which recently received a civic reception in Cork City Hall.

The reception honoured BTT volunteers for their successes at last October’s National Tidy Towns Awards, with Ballincollig named as Ireland’s Tidiest Large Urban Centre and also winning the County Award for Cork Southwest, achieving BTT’s 11th Gold Medal at the National Tidy Towns Awards.

Mr Butler said it was very humbling to be invited to City Hall, adding that it was a great honour for the volunteers to receive a civic reception.

“We feel very special to be honoured for all the work we have done, and it’s lovely to be recognised by your city. The way the Lord Mayor spoke about us tonight was very kind, and it makes all the difference to us. This is a very special night for us.

“To have other Tidy Towns committees here as well is very important, because they can see what they can achieve in time to come, and it does take time. It’s a gradual process, but it’s well worth it.”

The Lord Mayor of Cork, councillor Kieran McCarthy, described the BTT volunteers as “master craftspeople in terms of building communities”, adding that they were champions of perseverance, partnership and resilience.

“They’re about hope and civic pride and, as a group of volunteers, they don’t get anything from it except a sense of pride and a sense of place. The project is about bringing people together, in a world where there are vast efforts to divide people. This actually brings people together in very tangible and cohesive ways, and Ballincollig Tidy Towns motivate people and build a sense citizenship and a sense of belonging,” he said.

Fine Gael TD Colm Burke said the civic reception was richly deserved, and he praised BTT for their voluntary effort.

“To get this award was a huge achievement, but this was not started today or the day before. This was started over the last 25 years, and to get the support of Cork City Council and other agencies as well is very important,” he said.

“Ballincollig is a place with everything going for it, and there is a real buzz to it.”

Veteran Fine Gael councillor Derry Canty, who is retiring at the upcoming June local elections after three decades of public service, said it was a great night for Ballincollig and he was delighted that BTT’s “trojan work” was being honoured.

“From Poulavone Roundabout right back to West Village is all part and parcel of it, and they do need a big crew, and you saw here tonight they have a big crew. I’m delighted that they’re being recognised and thanked for what they do.

“They’re a credit to Ballincollig, and they were only one point off the national prize this time around, so please God next year is all to play for,” Mr Canty said.

Fianna Fáil councillor Colm Kelleher said all involved in BTT deserved praise, “in particular Kitty O’Callaghan, who’s out sweeping and picking the roads in Ballincollig every day”.

“There was a very poignant moment in Tom Butler’s speech when he acknowledged Tony Whelan, who was heavily involved, and I’m sure Tony would have absolutely loved this evening,” he said.

A BTT committee member and volunteer, Fine Gael councillor Garrett Kelleher attended the reception with his family.

“It’s a very welcoming group, some volunteers are out most days of the week, other people make it now and again.

“Everyone is welcome, there’s no clock in or clock out,” Mr Kelleher said.

“They encapsulate everything that is good about Ballincollig.”